VDE vs. OILU

Last updated Aug 5, 2026

VDE (Vanguard Energy ETF) and OILU (MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN) are both exchange-traded funds - VDE is a Energy Equities fund tracking the MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while OILU is a Leveraged Equities fund tracking the Solactive MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 3 years, VDE returned 14.18%/yr vs -0.34%/yr for OILU. Their 0.99 correlation means they have historically moved very closely together. VDE charges 0.09%/yr vs 0.95%/yr for OILU.

Performance

VDE vs. OILU - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, VDE achieves a 32.88% return, which is significantly lower than OILU's 84.63% return.

VDE

• 1D: -0.37%
• 1M: 9.84%
• 6M: 15.00%
• YTD: 32.88%
• 1Y: 41.79%
• 3Y*: 14.18%
• 5Y*: 23.47%
• 10Y*: 9.60%
• ALL TIME*: 8.25%

OILU

• 1D: -1.28%
• 1M: 31.23%
• 6M: 27.69%
• YTD: 84.63%
• 1Y: 97.58%
• 3Y*: -0.34%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 11.91%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	$8.18M	$7.71M	$7.79M
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	$78.09M	$74.66M	$108.47M

VDE vs. OILU - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	32.88%	7.11%	6.75%	0.03%	62.89%	-5.68%
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	84.63%	-16.50%	-21.65%	-32.50%	151.08%	-16.79%

Correlation

The correlation between VDE and OILU is 0.99 - they have historically moved very closely together. At this level, their price movements offset little of one another.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.99
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.99
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 9, 2021	0.99

The correlation between VDE and OILU has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.99 to 0.99 - a consistent structural relationship.

VDE vs. OILU - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	VDE	OILU
Energy	76.9%	100.0%
Basic Materials	0.4%	-
Industrials	0.3%	-
Utilities	0.1%	-
Communication Services	-	-
Consumer Cyclical	-	-
Consumer Defensive	-	-
Financial Services	-	-
Healthcare	-	-
Real Estate	-	-
Technology	-	-

Return for Risk

VDE vs. OILU — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

VDE

VDE Risk / Return Rank: 70
VDE Sharpe Ratio Rank: 79
VDE Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
VDE Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VDE Calmar Ratio Rank: 72
VDE Martin Ratio Rank: 57

OILU

OILU Risk / Return Rank: 50
OILU Sharpe Ratio Rank: 56
OILU Sortino Ratio Rank: 49
OILU Omega Ratio Rank: 47
OILU Calmar Ratio Rank: 52
OILU Martin Ratio Rank: 43

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

VDE vs. OILU - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) and MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	VDE	OILU	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.01	1.53	+0.48
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.59	1.99	+0.61
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.32	1.24	+0.08
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.79	2.11	+0.68
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	7.50	5.17	+2.33

VDE vs. OILU - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current VDE Sharpe Ratio is 2.01, which is higher than the OILU Sharpe Ratio of 1.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of VDE and OILU, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

VDE vs. OILU - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum VDE drawdown since its inception was -74.20%, smaller than the maximum OILU drawdown of -81.00%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for VDE and OILU.

Drawdown Indicators

	VDE	OILU	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-74.20%	-81.00%	+6.80%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.04%	-46.49%	+31.45%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.41%	-69.09%	+47.68%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-26.58%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-69.29%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-5.98%	-50.34%	+44.36%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-19.88%	-50.69%	+30.81%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.59%	18.96%	-13.37%

Volatility

VDE vs. OILU - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Vanguard Energy ETF (VDE) is 6.28%, while MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN (OILU) has a volatility of 20.19%. This indicates that VDE experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than OILU based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	VDE	OILU	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.28%	20.19%	-13.91%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.59%	51.63%	-35.04%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.89%	64.20%	-43.31%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	26.11%	80.75%	-54.64%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	29.91%	80.75%	-50.84%

VDE vs. OILU - Expense Ratio Comparison

VDE has a 0.09% expense ratio, which is lower than OILU's 0.95% expense ratio.

Dividends

VDE vs. OILU - Dividend Comparison

VDE's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.44%, while OILU has not paid dividends to shareholders.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
OILU MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 3X Leveraged ETN	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
VDE Vanguard Energy ETF	2.44%	3.11%	3.23%	3.34%	3.65%	4.13%	4.76%	3.42%	3.35%	2.90%	2.31%	3.17%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both VDE and OILU in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.99, VDE and OILU move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, VDE or OILU?

OILU has higher volatility (20.19%) compared to VDE (6.28%). In terms of maximum drawdown, VDE dropped -74.20% vs OILU's -81.00%.

Which ETF is better, VDE or OILU?

On 3-year performance, VDE leads with 14.18% vs -0.34% for OILU. On fees, VDE is cheaper at 0.09% per year. On volatility, VDE has been the lower-risk option at 6.28%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, VDE or OILU?

Over the 3-year period, VDE has performed better with a 14.18% return vs -0.34%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, VDE or OILU?

VDE is cheaper with a 0.09% expense ratio, compared with 0.95% for OILU.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, VDE or OILU?

VDE has the higher dividend yield at 2.44%, compared with 0.00% for OILU.

What is the main difference between VDE and OILU?

VDE is categorized as Energy Equities, while OILU is Leveraged Equities. VDE tracks MSCI US Investable Market Energy 25/50 Index, while OILU tracks Solactive MicroSectors Oil & Gas Exploration & Production Index. They also come from different issuers: Vanguard and BMO. Their fees differ too: 0.09% for VDE and 0.95% for OILU.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VDE currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.01 vs 1.53), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.